THE GLOBE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1882. A WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2662, 18 October 1882, Page 2

THE GLOBE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1882. A WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITION.

Thb suggestion made by the Eire Brigade Committee of the City Council as to the recognition by that body of the lengthened, zealons and efficient services of Mr. Superintendent Harris will, we feel sure, receive ready and hearty acquiescence on the part of the ratepayers. It only needs the remembrance that for fourteen years Mr. Harris has held the office, and fulfilled the onerous duties of chief of our Fire Brigade, to at once see that such a token is well deserved. But not only has Mr. Harris the claim of long service. He has united with that qualities of coolness, of complete control of his men, and promptness of action, which it is rare to find in one individual. Therefore, it is, wo think, only right that the City Council, after having been served so well, should desire to mark their appreciation of what Mr. Harris has done. Hut wo are of opinion that the matter should not stop there. In some sense, no doubt, the Council are the representatives of the public in this matter. While this is so, still it cannot he denied that the community as a whole owe Mr. Harris a deep debt of gratitude. To his exertions, conplod with the zeal and efficiency of the men themselves, Christchurch owes the possession of the finest and most effective Brigade in the colony. Their efforts in fire prevention are, it is true, crippled somewhat by the want of an efficient water supply, a thing greatly to be deplored, yet under all these difficulties the Brigade work in a manner hard to he beaten anywhere. Therefore it is that we feel the public generally as a whole should have an opportunity of expressing to Mr, Harris, in a substantial manner, their appreciation of the way in which he has discharged his very important duties. The Council propose to give Mr. Harris an honorarium. Money soon melts away, even in the most carefnl hands, and but little record will remain of this in time. What we should like to see is a something presented to Mr. Harris on behalf of the public which he will be able to preserve as a heirloom to hand down to his descendants. It must bo remembered that this is not a temporary severance of his connection with the Brigade, owing to his contemplated home tour. Mr. Harris lays down his baton of command once and for all. Therefore, it is, we think, incumbent upon ns to take some steps to show, however inadequately, the high esteem and regard in which Mr. Harris is held by his fellow citizens. There need be no clashing with the City Council presentation. That is from a public body to an officer who by long service and sterling worth has earned the appreciation of its members. The one we propose is from the public whoso lives and property have on more occasions than once been preserved by the exertions of the Brigade under Mr. Superintendent Harris. This, wa feel certain, if taken np vigorously, would enable such a presentation to bo made to Mr. Harris as ho is entitled to. More than that it would, as we have before pointed out, provide such an one as might bo of a lasting character, perpetuating the good qualities of a worthy man. We have only briefly referred to the suggestion, bat we hope to see it heartily taken up. That it

would be cheerfully responded to by thsr community is certain, and it only wants a commencement.

INSPECTION OF GAS METEE3.

Th a motion of Cr. Hiorns for the appointment of a gas meter inspecter was, aa might have bean expected, negatived by the unanimous decision of tho committee appointed to consider tho question. But, whilst this is so, tho proposal, and consequent ventilation of the subject, has net been an nnmixeJ evil. Prior to this householders have been in dread of their meters registering an enormous quantity of gas which has never been consumed. The mover of the resolution drew a most appalling picture of the way in which the confiding public had to pay for gas never used, through, the unreliability of the meters supplied. But when we come to examine the evidence of experts, ss given to tho committee on this subject, quite a different state of things is revealed. Wo are teld that faulty meters are a rar® exception, and that as a rule the registration is very correctly rendered by those in use. Beyond this a simple test, capable of being carried out by any householder using gas, is supplied, so that if any leakage occurs in the house connections, it can at once be remedied — and detected. The inquiry made appears to have been a very searching one, and was conducted by experts disconnected with the Gas Company, so that the public can place the fullest confidence in the accuracy of the results. We are glad that the movement by Or. Hiorns, without intention, has produced so much valuable information. The minds of gas consumers will now, perhaps, be set at ease on the subject of their meters, and if any waste does occur, they are now in a position to discover and cheek it. This is not what Cr. Hiorns, like Mr. Tnbbs in “ Pink Dominoes,” looked forward to, but it is very satisfactory to consumers of gas.

STREET CROSSINGS. There can be no doabt that the motion of Councillor Bowman for the provision of iron crossings in oar principal thoroughfares is a step in the right direction. At present, particularly at night, crossing the side-channels, especially for ladies, is a very dangerous business. The cost, as stated by Councillor Bowman, would not be much, and the convenience to the citizens exceedingly great. Thera is one thing the Works Committee might consider in reference to this matter, and that is, whether these bridges cannot be on hinges, so as not to prevent the channels being freely swept. If they are put down as fixtures, the channels are likely to be impeded, and additional labour entailed on the employes of the Council. This would be assisted if the plan wo propose is adopted. We trust for the comfort and convenience of the citizens that the Works Committee will be able to see their way clear to recommend the adoption of Councillor Bowman’s motion.